Smith towered over defender Joel Lynch in the second minute to head in from Alex Mowatt's corner before Huddersfield swiftly replied as Ward rifled a venomous shot into the back of the net after being picked out by Hammill's corner.

After having withstood plenty of pressure in the early stages, Huddersfield were boosted by their equaliser.

Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny did well to tip over Hammill's curling shot, before Ward stabbed a low effort just wide.

But Leeds should have retaken the lead on the hour when a nicely-worked move by the visitors ended with Luke Murphy sidefooting wide from inside the area when unmarked.

It was to prove a costly miss as Huddersfield took the lead soon after when Hammill's ball into the area was flicked into his own net by Lees.

Leeds manager Brian McDermott responded by bringing on new signing Blackstock and his impact was immediate, the on-loan Nottingham Forest player flicking a header into the net from a free kick with his first touch.

But just as the Leeds fans had finished celebrating that goal, Huddersfield snatched what proved to be the winner.

Substitute Sean Scannell twisted his way past his marker before finding Stead inside the area and the striker, who came through the youth ranks at Huddersfield before leaving for Blackburn in 2004, swept the ball home for his first goal since re-joining the club in the summer.

Huddersfield manager Mark Robins:

"I am pleased with that result. Performances are important but today the result was important. It was great for everybody because this club probably lived in the shadows of Leeds for a long time.

"It is a one-off game and I thought the spirit was fantastic, the togetherness of the players and supporters was brilliant.

"When the ball was there to be won, more often than not we won it but it was one of those games where your heart is in your mouth because it could have gone either way."

Leeds United boss Brian McDermott:

"We didn't defend goals properly. We created a lot of chances but we have to learn how to manage games right away from home.

"Whatever happens you have to make sure you do the right things defensively.

"It is disappointing [after Birmingham win] we are a little bit like that as a club and a team, we take a step forward and take a step back so we need to take a step forward in our next game."

Substitution

Goal!

Goal! Huddersfield Town 3, Leeds United 2. Jon Stead (Huddersfield Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sean Scannell.

Posted at74'

Foul by Jonathan Hogg (Huddersfield Town).

Posted at74'

Alex Mowatt (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Goal!

Posted at73'

Goal! Huddersfield Town 2, Leeds United 2. Dexter Blackstock (Leeds United) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alex Mowatt with a cross following a set piece situation.